Last week NZ Government announced our new carbon emission reduction target – 5% below 1990 level by 2020. Back in 2010, when announcing New Zealand’s initial carbon reduction target, the Climate Change Minister at that time, Nick Smith, said that “Joining the Copenhagen Accord reinforces New Zealand’s ongoing commitment to do its fair share of the global effort to address climate change”. 5% “fair share” turns out to be the smallest of the smallest – weaker than science demands, sending a clear signal that NZ intends to do as little as possible to stop climate change.
5% GHG reduction target is New Zealand’s “fair share”? REALLY?
Last week NZ Government announced our new carbon emission reduction target - 5% below 1990 level by 2020. Back in 2010, when announcing New Zealand's initial carbon reduction target, the Climate Change Minister at that time, Nick Smith, said that "Joining the Copenhagen Accord reinforces New Zealand's ongoing commitment to do its fair share of the global effort to address climate change". 5% "fair share" turns out to be the smallest of the smallest - weaker than science demands and sends a clear signal that NZ intends to do as little as possible to stop climate change.